Bilateral asymmetric supernumerary heads of biceps brachii

Anat Cell Biol. 2011 Sep;44(3):238-40. doi: 10.5115/acb.2011.44.3.238. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Abstract

Anatomical variations of the biceps brachii have been described by various authors, but the occurrence of bilateral asymmetric supernumerary heads is rare and has not been reported. We found three accessory heads of the biceps brachii muscle on right arm and an anomalous third head of biceps brachii on left arm. The third, fourth, and fifth heads of right arm originated from the body of humerus at the insertion site of coracobrachialis and inserted into the distal part of biceps brachii short head in order. The third head of left arm originated from humerus at the insertion site of coracobrachialis and combined with the distal part of biceps brachii and continued to the proximal part of common biceps tendon. Understanding the existence of bilateral asymmetric supernumerary heads of biceps brachii may influence preoperative diagnosis and surgery on the upper limbs.

Keywords: Asymmetry; Biceps brachii; Supernumerary heads; Variation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports